I pulled the trigger and unsubscribed from all email lists related to clothes and fashion. Initially it was hard, but I had to do it. What a relief! My inbox is no longer filled with announcements about Jenna's latest picks from J Crew, the one day sale from the Gap or 25% off for "only 2 days" from Banana Republic. Nope, no longer do I receive updates from Piperlime, Zappos or reports from Daily Candy, Gilt Group or RueLaLa about the latest sample sale. I've officially removed myself from any connection to the online shopping world. While I do feel a little out of the loop I also feel a calmness and peace whenever I log into my email account. No longer am I convincing myself that If I click on the link, I will only "look" and not buy. As what inevitably happens is a seed is planted when I glimpse at the array of beautiful pieces that Jenna has picked and then before I know it, I'm putting items in my shopping cart. Why? Because it's on sale, or looks good on the model, or if I just get this one last top, skirt, dress, necklace, insert item, it will round out my wardrobe. Who am I kidding? It never ends there. For when I open my email the next day, next week, or next month there will be another email tempting me to take a peek and check out what's "latest".
Next on my list, which won't be as easy but is a necessary feat, is to stop the catalogue madness that chokes my mailbox. Whether it's a catalogue from West Elm or Bloomingdales, it all evokes the same feelings- curiosity and temptation! I'm at a place right now where I immediately walk the new catalogues from my mailbox directly into the recycling bin without flipping through them. I don't have the restraint to just look as it sets my wheels in motion and before I know it I'm planning my next purchase or adding something to my list of what I need. Don't get me wrong, I still save the coupons from Bed, Bath and Beyond. In fact, I have a stack of them waiting to be used. Did you know, that even when they expire, the store will still honor them? Just a little tip for you from a recovering shopping addict. Yes, I've been known to bring 10 coupons into BBB and get a nice discount off my purchases. Although, I am trying to tame all types of shopping as my fashion fast can easily be redirected to other types of purchases. For example, the food store. I realized that I overspent on groceries last month. The hard facts stared back at me when I reviewed my budget from the previous month. In evaluating my spending habits I am realizing that I need to keep myself in check in all types of stores.
I'm not the only one! My boss shared with me recently on a work road trip that he has a "gadget and toy" spending addiction. He said that he can't walk into a Best Buy, boat store or hardware store without overspending. I guess we all struggle with something, both men and women alike. It's just a matter of being aware of what might be spurring it on. For some, it's immediate gratification and for others it is a distraction from what we are feeling.
Whatever the case may be, I'm finding new ways to live in a world of constant temptation. And for me that means continuing to unsubscribe...one magazine at a time..
Miss F.
Bravo Miss F! Wanted to share with you and your readers that there's a great way to stop catalogs from even arriving at your door. It's through catalogchoice.org, a non-profit website that will walk you though the steps of unsubscribing to pretty much any catalog that is mailed to you. So instead of winding up in the recycling pile, fewer catalogs are printed, trees are saved and greenhouse gasses are reduced. I've been able to unsubscribe to probably 20 catalogs. Altho I must admit, I didn't have the heart to eliminate J. Crew. I like to look through it "just for ideas!" ; )
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